Every second counts in the event of an emergency, which is why first responders in Windsor-Essex and Michigan have removed barriers when it comes to cross-border communication.
Both sides of the border received $4-million worth of new equipment through a U.S. grant. This includes 30 new radios and other equipment for this region.
Windsor police inspector Brendan Dodd says today is the final test for the five-year project. "What we're trying to do with this exercise is remove friction, remove barriers, speed the communication, make it more direct (and) one-to-one if possible," he says. "We want to remove any kind intermediaries. We don't want officers to have to communicate through dispatch if they can do it direct, one-to-one."
In addition to direct communication, the new equipment allows for agencies to easily share videos, images and other files. "We always end up communicating, the question is how difficult is it going to be? How long will it take? And that's the process of continuous improvement," says Dodd.
The equipment will also be used for planned events like the international fireworks.
The Windsor Police Marine Unit works in a very complex environment, dealing with other agencies on land, in the water and in the air.
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